Abstract
Patients with bipolar disorder are vulnerable to developing obesity, hypertension, dyslipidimia, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Additional risk factor is pharmacotherapy.
Mood stabilizers including anticonvulsants and second generation antipsychotics have been linked to risk for adverse metabolic and cardiovascular changes. Disorders related to metabolic syndrome are key risk factors for developing coronary heart disease.
Patients with bipolar disorder have higher standardized mortality ratios in comparison with general population. Cardiovascular disorders are the leading contributor to excessive death for somatic causes.
Bipolar disorder and metabolic syndrome share features of hormonal, immunological, and autonomic nervous system dysregulation. Lifestyle may account, in part, for the premature mortality observed in bipolar disorder.
It warrants screening, monitoring of metabolic and cardiovascular disorders, and early intervention should be a part of complex clinical care, especially in maintenance treatment.